Portable air conditioner

ABSTRACT

A portable air conditioner that performs dehumidification and cooling functions is provided. The portable air conditioner may include a body, a thermoelectric unit or device disposed in the body, to absorb heat at one or a first side thereof while emitting heat at the other or a second side thereof, a cooling unit or device connected to a heat absorption side of the thermoelectric unit, to condense air to dehumidify and cool the air, and a blowing unit or blower to feed air to the cooling unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0019805, filed in Korea on Feb. 20, 2014 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A portable air conditioner, and more particularly, a portable air conditioner that performs dehumidification and cooling functions is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In accordance with the recent spread of camping culture, camping has become a leisure activity beyond a passing trend. To cope with rapid expansion of camping culture, camping equipment is being changed into luxury goods.

During summer camping, an interior of a tent may be very hot and humid. For this reason, it is necessary to provide an air conditioner capable of humidifying and cooling air in the tent while being conveniently portable. Further, such an air conditioner must have additional functions, such as insect repelling and lighting functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating use of a portable air conditioner according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating inner components of the portable air conditioner of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a system configuration of the air conditioner of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure is defined only by the categories of the claims. In certain embodiments, detailed descriptions of device constructions or processes well known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring appreciation of the disclosure by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining portable air conditioners according to embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating use of a portable air conditioner according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating inner components of the portable air conditioner of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a system configuration of the air conditioner of FIG. 1.

The portable air conditioner according to this embodiment may include a body 111, and a thermoelectric unit or device 121 disposed in the body 111, to perform absorption of heat at one or a first side thereof, namely, a heat absorption side 121 a, and emission of heat at the other or a second side thereof, namely, a heat emission side 121 b. The portable air conditioner may further include a cooling unit or device 122 connected to the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121, to condense air for dehumidification and cooling of the air, a blowing unit or blower 123 to force air to pass around the cooling unit 122, and an insect repellent unit or device 125 to be heated by the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121 for evaporation of an insect repellent material.

The body 111 may define an appearance of the portable air conditioner. The body 111 may have front and rear walls each including a bent plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. The front and rear walls of the body 111 may contact each other along opposite lateral ends thereof, and as such, take a biconvex shape in order to define an accommodation space within the body 111. The body 111 may have a flat bottom wall, and an arched top wall recessed in a downward direction.

The thermoelectric unit 121, the cooling unit 122, the blowing unit 123, and the insect repellent unit 125 may be accommodated in the body 111. A lighting unit or device 171 and a battery 161 may also be accommodated in the body 111. A water collection unit or device 115 may also be disposed in the body 111. A handle 112 may be connected to the top wall of the body 111. A net plate 119 may be provided at the front and/or the rear wall of the body 111.

A display 181 may be provided at a portion of the body 111. The display 181 may display operation states of the portable air conditioner, such as, a current time, a current temperature, or a current humidity, for example.

A drainage hole 116 may be formed at one side of a lower portion of the body 111, to outwardly drain condensed water produced within the body 111.

The net plate 119 may be provided at the body 111. The net plate 119 may be formed with ventilation holes, to allow air to flow into and out of the body 111. The net plate 119 may include a bent plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. A plurality of net plates 119 may be disposed at the front and rear walls of the body 111, respectively. In this case, the plurality of net plates 119 may form portions of the front and rear walls of the body 111, respectively. In this case, air may be introduced into the body 111 through the net plate 119 provided at the rear wall of the body 111, and then, may be discharged out of the body 111 through the net plate 119 provided at the front wall of the body 111.

The handle 112 may be coupled to the top wall of the body 111, to allow a user to grasp the handle 112 to carry the portable air conditioner. The handle 112 may define a gap spaced from the body 111. An operating panel (not shown) may be provided at or in the handle 112, to allow the user to operate the portable air conditioner.

The handle 112 may have an upwardly protruded arch shape. The handle 112 may be connected to opposite ends of the top wall of the body 111, and as such, the handle 112 and the body 111 may generally take a hobo bag shape.

The thermoelectric unit 121 may include a thermoelectric element that functions to absorb heat at one or a first side thereof while emitting heat at the other or a second side thereof in accordance with the Peltier effect. When electric power from a battery 161 is supplied to the thermoelectric unit 121, the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121 absorbs heat, and the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121 emits heat.

The thermoelectric unit 121 may be disposed at the lower portion of the body 111 inside the body 111. The cooling unit 122 may be connected to the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121. The insect repellent unit 125 may be disposed at the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121. Cooling fins may be provided at the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121. The heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121 may be disposed near the bottom wall of the body 111, to be cooled by a cold floor.

The cooling unit 122, which may be connected to the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121, may condense air blown by the blowing unit 123, to humidify and cool the air. The cooling unit 122 may be cooled by the thermoelectric unit 121. The cooling unit 122 may exchange heat with air introduced into the body 111, thereby condensing and cooling the air.

The cooling unit 122 may include cooling fins or a cooling pipe. When the cooling unit 122 includes cooling fins, the cooling unit 122 may directly exchange heat with the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121. On the other hand, when the cooling unit 122 includes a cooling pipe, the cooling unit 122 may exchange heat with the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121 via a refrigerant flowing through the cooling pipe.

The cooling unit 122 may be arranged in such a manner as to contact air flowing within the body 111 as much as possible. The cooling unit 122 may be arranged in an upright state, to occupy a large area in a direction normal to a horizontal plane. The cooling unit 122 may be arranged between the blowing unit 123 and the net plate(s) 119.

When the cooling unit 122 condenses air, condensed water may be formed on a surface of the cooling unit 122 or around the cooling unit 122. The condensed water produced by the cooling unit 122 may be collected into the water collection unit 115.

The blowing unit 123 may force air to flow into and out of the body 111. The blowing unit 123 may include a fan and a motor. The blowing unit 123 may be disposed within the body 111.

The blowing unit 123 may be arranged in such a manner that ambient air may be sucked into the body 111 through one net plate 119, and then, may be fed to the cooling unit 122. The blowing unit 123 may be arranged between one or a first net plate 119 and the cooling unit 122. The blowing unit 123 may discharge air cooled by the cooling unit 122 out of the body 111 through the other or a second net plate 119.

The insect repellent unit 125 may include an insect repellent material capable of repelling insects, such as mosquitoes, when evaporated. The insect repellent material may be composed of a polymer, or a natural compound, such as aroma. The insect repellent material may take a liquid, gel, or sol form, for example, and as such, may be permeated into a pad, or may be contained in a container, for example.

The insect repellent unit 125 may take a cartridge form, for easy replacement thereof. The insect repellent unit 125 may be separably disposed within the body 111.

The insect repellent unit 125 may be heated by the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121. The insect repellent unit 125 may directly contact the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121 or may contact the cooling fins of the heat emission side 121 b. When the insect repellent unit 125 is heated, the insect repellent material may be evaporated, and as such, may repel insects, such as mosquitoes.

In accordance with one embodiment, the insect repellent unit 125 may be a device that generates high frequency waves, to repel insects, such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent unit 125 may generate electromagnetic waves having a frequency which insects, such as mosquitoes, hate upon receiving electric power from the battery 161, and as such, may repel insects.

In accordance with another embodiment, the insect repellent unit 125 may be a device that discharges a high voltage, to repel insects, such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent unit 125 may discharge a high voltage upon receiving electric power from the battery 161, and as such, may exterminate insects approaching thereto.

In accordance with another embodiment, the insect repellent unit 125 may be a device that generates ions, to repel insects, such as mosquitoes. In this case, the insect repellent unit 125 may generate ions upon receiving electric power from the battery 161, and as such, may repel insects therearound. The battery 161 may supply electric power to the cooling unit 122, the blowing unit 123, the lighting unit 171, and the display 181. The battery 161 may be disposed within the body 111, for portability. The battery 161 may be charged with electric power from an external power source. Alternatively, the battery 161 may be separated from the body 111, for replacement thereof.

The lighting unit 171 may include various light emitting devices. The lighting unit 171 may be disposed within the body 111, to emit light to the outside of the body 111 through the ventilation holes of the net plate(s) 119.

The water collection unit 115 may be disposed at the lower portion of the body 111 inside the body 111. The water collection unit 115 may be arranged beneath the cooling unit 122. The water collection unit 115 may collect condensed water produced by the cooling unit 122, and guide the collected water to the outside of the body 111. Condensed water collected in the water collection unit 115 may be discharged out of the body 111 through the drainage hole 116 formed at one side of the lower portion of the body 111.

Condensed water discharged out of the body 111 may be stored in a water container 200 coupled to the drainage hole 116 of the body 111. The water container 200 may be a PET container, which is readily available. The drainage hole 116 of the body 111 may be formed in such a manner as to allow the water container 200 to be coupled thereto. In accordance with one embodiment, condensed water discharged out of the body 111 may flow to a field ground via a hose (not shown) coupled to the drainage hole 116 of the body 111.

Hereinafter, operation of the portable air conditioner having the above-described configuration according to embodiments will be described hereinbelow.

When a user operates the portable air conditioner through operation of an operating panel, the battery 161 may supply electric power to the blowing unit 123 which, in turn, may operate. When the blowing unit 123 operates, ambient air around the body 111 may be introduced into the body 111 through the net plate 119 at the rear wall of the body 111, and then, may be fed to the cooling unit 122.

When the battery 161 supplies electric power to the thermoelectric unit 121, the heat absorption side 121 a of the thermoelectric unit 121 may absorb heat, and the heat emission side 121 b of the thermoelectric unit 121 may generate heat. The cooling unit 122 connected to the heat absorption side 121 a may condense air flowing in accordance with operation of the blowing unit 123, thereby dehumidifying and cooling the air. Air cooled by the cooling unit 122 may be discharged out of the body 111 through the net plate 119 at the front wall of the body 111.

Condensed water produced during air cooling of the cooling unit 122 may be collected in the water collection unit 115, and then, may be discharged out of the body 111 through the drainage hole 116. Condensed water discharged out of the body 111 may be stored in the water container 200 coupled to the body 111.

Meanwhile, heat generated from the heat emission unit 121 b may heat the insect repellent unit 125. When the insect repellent unit 125 is heated, the insect repellent material may be evaporated, and as such, insects, such as mosquitoes, may be repelled.

In accordance with operation by the user, the lighting unit 171 may operate to emit light to the outside of the body 111. In accordance with operation by the user, only the blowing unit 123 may operate to blow air under a condition that the cooling unit 122 does not operate.

The portable air conditioner according to embodiments may provide at least the following advantages.

First, there is an advantage in that dehumidification and cooling may be achieved through a simple, portable configuration.

Second, there is an advantage in that repelling of insects, such as mosquitoes, may be achieved in addition to dehumidification and cooling, using a thermoelectric element.

Third, there is an advantage in that disposal of condensed water produced due to dehumidification may be simplified.

Fourth, there is an advantage in that air conditioning, insect repelling, and lighting required during camping may be achieved, using a single appliance with a simple structure, which exhibits excellent mobility and portability.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a portable air conditioner capable of performing various functions.

Embodiments are not limited to the above-described object, and those skilled in the art may appreciate additional objects not described, from the description.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a portable air conditioner that may include a body, a thermoelectric unit or device disposed in the body, to absorb heat at one or a first side thereof while emitting heat at the other or a second side thereof, a cooling unit or device connected to a heat absorption side of the thermoelectric unit, to condense air for dehumidification and cooling of the air, and a blowing unit or blower to feed air to the cooling unit.

Details of embodiments will be apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that embodiments are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects not described above will be understood from the description of the accompanying claims.

Although embodiments has been described in conjunction with the illustrative embodiments and the accompanying drawings, embodiments are not limited to such embodiments and drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope defined in the appended claims and should not be individually interpreted from the technical idea and prospect.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable air conditioner, comprising: a body having front and rear walls formed into a biconvex shape to define an accommodation space in the body; a thermoelectric device disposed in the accommodation space of the body, that absorbs heat at a first side thereof while emitting heat at a second side thereof; a cooling device disposed in the accommodation space of the body and connected to the heat absorption side of the thermoelectric device, to condense air to dehumidify and cool air; a blower disposed in the accommodation space of the body, to feed air to the cooling device; and a plurality of net plates forming portions of the front and rear walls of the body, each of the plurality of net plates having ventilation holes to allow air to flow into and out of the body.
 2. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a lighting device disposed in the accommodation space of the body, that emits light to an outside of the body through the ventilation holes of the plurality of net plates.
 3. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: an insect repellent device to be heated by a heat emission side of the thermoelectric device, the insect repellent device comprising an insect repellent material to be evaporated when heated by the heat emission side.
 4. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a handle having an upwardly protruded arch shape, the handle being connected to opposite ends of a top wall of the body.
 5. The portable air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein the handle and the body form a hobo bag shape.
 6. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a water collection device disposed in the body, to collect condensed water produced by the cooling device and to guide the collected condensed water to an outside of the body.
 7. The portable air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the body is formed, at one side of a lower portion thereof, with a drainage hole, and wherein the condensed water collected in the water collection device is discharged out of the body via the drainage hole.
 8. The portable air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the drainage hole of the body is formed to be coupled to a PET container.
 9. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery that supplies power to the thermoelectric device, the cooling device, and the blower.
 10. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a display, wherein the display displays an operation state of the portable air conditioner.
 11. The portable air conditioner according to claim 10, wherein the operation state includes at least one of a current time, a current temperature, or a current humidity.
 12. A portable air conditioner, comprising: a body having an accommodation space defined therein; a thermoelectric device disposed in the accommodation space of the body, that absorbs heat at a first side thereof while emitting heat at a second side thereof; a cooling device disposed in the accommodation space of the body and connected to the heat absorption side of the thermoelectric device, to condense air to dehumidify and cool air; and a blower disposed in the accommodation space of the body, to feed air to the cooling device.
 13. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further comprising: a lighting device disposed in the accommodation space of the body, that emits light through ventilation holes provided in the body to an outside of the body.
 14. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further comprising: an insect repellent device to be heated by a heat emission side of the thermoelectric device, the insect repellent device comprising an insect repellent material to be evaporated when heated by the heat emission side.
 15. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further comprising: a handle having an upwardly protruded arch shape, the handle being connected to opposite ends of a top wall of the body, wherein the handle and the body form a hobo bag shape.
 16. The portable air conditioner according to claim 12, further comprising: a water collection device disposed in the body, to collect condensed water produced by the cooling device and to guide the collected condensed water to an outside of the body.
 17. The portable air conditioner according to claim 16, wherein the body is formed, at one side of a lower portion thereof, with a drainage hole, wherein the condensed water collected in the water collection device is discharged out of the body via the drainage hole, and wherein the drainage hole of the body is configured to be coupled to a container.
 18. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a battery that supplies power to the thermoelectric device, the cooling device, and the blower.
 19. The portable air conditioner according to claim 1, further comprising: a display, wherein the display displays an operation state of the portable air conditioner.
 20. The portable air conditioner according to claim 19, wherein the operation state includes at least one of a current time, a current temperature, or a current humidity. 